Power
High Power Multiphase Step-Down DC/DC Controller Features Differential Remote Sensing, Active Voltage Positioning & Stage Shedding Technology
Linear Technology introduced the LTC3856, a two-phase single output high efficiency (up to 95%) synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with PolyPhase® operation, differential output voltage sensing and integrated phased-lock loop (PLL) synchronization. Up to 12 phases can be paralleled and clocked out of phase to minimize input and output filtering requirements for high current applications (up to 300A). The differential amplifier provides remote output voltage sensing of both the positive and negative terminals, enabling high accuracy regulation independent of IR losses in trace runs, vias and interconnects. Applications include high current ASIC and FPGA supplies, power distribution buses, high power audio amplifiers and network servers.
The The LTC3856 incorporates an adjustable Stage Shedding™ technique to increase efficiency at light loads by eliminating gate charge and switching losses of one of its output stages. In addition, the LTC3856 can be configured for adjustable Burst Mode® operation to produce even higher efficiency at light loads. Its adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) minimizes the maximum transient voltage deviation during a load current step.
Tracking and sequencing functions allow the optimization of power-up and power-down of multiple power supplies. Additional features include current mode control, an onboard LDO for IC power, programmable soft start, a power good output and external VCC control.